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Publications

Publications from the staff of the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Filter Total Items: 2486

Breaching of strike-slip faults and successive flooding of pull-apart basins to form the Gulf of California seaway from ca. 8–6 Ma Breaching of strike-slip faults and successive flooding of pull-apart basins to form the Gulf of California seaway from ca. 8–6 Ma

The geologic record of the formation of marine basins during continental rifting is uncommonly preserved. Using GIS-based paleotectonic maps, we show that marine basin formation in the Gulf of California–Salton trough oblique rift (Mexico and the United States) occurred in a stepwise manner as crustal thinning lowered elevations within the Gulf of California Shear Zone, and subsidence...
Authors
Paul J. Umhoefer, Michael H. Darin, Scott E.K. Bennett, Lisa A. Skinner, Rebecca J. Dorsey, Michael E. Oskin

Geochemical characterization and modeling of regional groundwater contributing to the Verde River, Arizona between Mormon Pocket and the USGS Clarkdale gage Geochemical characterization and modeling of regional groundwater contributing to the Verde River, Arizona between Mormon Pocket and the USGS Clarkdale gage

We use synoptic surveys of stream discharge, stable isotopes, and dissolved noble gases to identify the source of groundwater discharge to the Verde River in central Arizona. The Verde River more than doubles in discharge in Mormon Pocket over a 1.4 km distance that includes three discrete locations of visible spring input to the river and other diffuse groundwater inputs. A detailed...
Authors
Kimberly R. Beisner, W. Payton Gardner, Andrew G. Hunt

Sulfur isotopes of host strata for Howards Pass (Yukon–Northwest Territories) Zn-Pb deposits implicate anaerobic oxidation of methane, not basin stagnation Sulfur isotopes of host strata for Howards Pass (Yukon–Northwest Territories) Zn-Pb deposits implicate anaerobic oxidation of methane, not basin stagnation

A new sulfur isotope stratigraphic profile has been developed for Ordovician-Silurian mudstones that host the Howards Pass Zn-Pb deposits (Canada) in an attempt to reconcile the traditional model of a stagnant euxinic basin setting with new contradictory findings. Our analyses of pyrite confirm the up-section 34S enrichment reported previously, but additional observations show parallel...
Authors
Craig A. Johnson, John F. Slack, Julie A. Dumoulin, Karen Duttweiler Kelley, Hendrik Falck

Geologic and hydrologic concerns about pupfish divergence during the last glacial maximum Geologic and hydrologic concerns about pupfish divergence during the last glacial maximum

Martin et al.'s [1] double-digest, restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing of Death Valley pupfish species (Cyprinodon) and new time-calibrated phylogenetic analysis provide estimated divergence ages for North American pupfish at two scales. On the larger temporal and spatial scale, Martin et al. conclude that the Death Valley pupfish shared common ancestry with: Cyprinodon albivelis...
Authors
Jeffrey R. Knott, Fred Phillips, Marith C. Reheis, Donald Sada, Angela S. Jayko, Gary Axen

Rapid 3-D analysis of rockfalls Rapid 3-D analysis of rockfalls

Recent fatal and damaging rockfalls in Yosemite National Park indicate the need for rapid response data collection methods to inform public safety and assist with management response. Here we show the use of multiple-platform remote sensing methods to rapidly capture pertinent data needed to inform management and the public following a several large rockfalls from El Capitan cliff in...
Authors
Greg M. Stock, A. Guerin, Nikita N. Avdievitch, Brian D. Collins, Michel Jaboyedoff

Against the current— The Mojave River from sink to source: The 2018 Desert Symposium field trip road log Against the current— The Mojave River from sink to source: The 2018 Desert Symposium field trip road log

The Mojave River evolved over the past few million years by “fill and spill” from upper basins near its source in the Transverse Ranges to lower basins. Each newly “spilled into” basin in the series? sustained a long-lived lake but gradually filled with Mojave River sediment, leading to spill to a yet lower elevation? basin. The Mojave River currently terminates at Silver Lake, near...
Authors
David M. Miller, R.E. Reynolds, Krishangi D. Groover, David C. Buesch, H. J. Brown, Geoffrey Cromwell, Jill N. Densmore, A.L. Garcia, D. Hughson, J.R. Knott, Jeffrey E. Lovich

World distribution of uranium deposits World distribution of uranium deposits

Deposit data derived from IAEA UDEPO (http://infcis.iaea.org/UDEPO/About.cshtml) database with assistance from P. Bruneton (France) and M. Mihalasky (U.S.A.). The map is an updated companion to "World Distribution of Uranium Deposits (UDEPO) with Uranium Deposit Classification, IAEA Tech-Doc-1629". Geology was derived from L.B. Chorlton, Generalized Geology of the World, Geological...
Authors
M. C. Fairclough, J. A. Irvine, L. F. Katona, W. L. Simmon, P. Bruneton, Mark J. Mihalasky, M. Cuney, M. Aranha, O. Pylypenko, K. Poliakovska

In situ distributions of magnetic susceptibility in some igneous rocks In situ distributions of magnetic susceptibility in some igneous rocks

Measurements of in-situ magnetic susceptibility were compiled from mainly Precambrian crystalline basement rocks beneath the Colorado Plateau and ranges in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The susceptibility meter used samples about 33 cubic centimeters of rock and measures variations in the modal distribution of magnetic minerals that form a minor component volumetrically in these...
Authors
Mark E. Gettings

Dust on a Hawaiian volcano: A regional model using field measurements to estimate transport and deposition Dust on a Hawaiian volcano: A regional model using field measurements to estimate transport and deposition

The western slopes of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano are mantled by fine-grained soils, the record of volcanic airfall and eolian deposition. Where exposed, strong winds transport this sediment across West Hawaii, affecting tourism and local communities with decreased air and water quality. Operations on US Army's Ke'amuku Maneuver Area (KMA) have the potential to increase dust flux from...
Authors
Madison M; Douglas, Jonathan D. Stock, Kai'ena; Bishaw, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, David Bedford

A biodynamic understanding of dietborne and waterborne Ag uptake from Ag NPs in the sediment-dwelling oligochaete, Tubifex tubifex A biodynamic understanding of dietborne and waterborne Ag uptake from Ag NPs in the sediment-dwelling oligochaete, Tubifex tubifex

Metal nanoparticles (Me-NPs) are increasingly used in various products, such as inks and cosmetics, enhancing the likelihood of their release into aquatic environments. An understanding of the mechanisms controlling their bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity in aquatic biota will help support environmental risk assessment. Here we characterized unidirectional parameters for uptake and...
Authors
Stine Rosendal Tangaa, Margrethe Winther-Nielsen, Henriette Selck, Marie Noele Croteau

Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of shallow water saturated altered rocks at Mount Baker, Washington: Implications for slope stability Three-dimensional geophysical mapping of shallow water saturated altered rocks at Mount Baker, Washington: Implications for slope stability

Water-saturated hydrothermal alteration reduces the strength of volcanic edifices, increasing the potential for catastrophic sector collapses that can lead to far traveled and destructive debris flows. Intense hydrothermal alteration significantly lowers the resistivity and magnetization of volcanic rock and therefore hydrothermally altered rocks can be identified with helicopter...
Authors
Carol A. Finn, Maria Deszcz-Pan, Jessica L. Ball, Benjamin J. Bloss, Burke J. Minsley

Assessing rockfall susceptibility in steep and overhanging slopes using three-dimensional analysis of failure mechanisms Assessing rockfall susceptibility in steep and overhanging slopes using three-dimensional analysis of failure mechanisms

Rockfalls strongly influence the evolution of steep rocky landscapes and represent a significant hazard in mountainous areas. Defining the most probable future rockfall source areas is of primary importance for both geomorphological investigations and hazard assessment. Thus, a need exists to understand which areas of a steep cliff are more likely to be affected by a rockfall. An...
Authors
Battista Matasci, Greg M. Stock, Michael Jaboyedoff, Dario Carrea, Brian D. Collins, Antoine Guerin, G. Matasci, L. Ravanel
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